Answer & Winner 10th Day Christmas Past

Posted by on Dec 22, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 |

Answer 10th Day Christmas Past:  Harold B. Lee’s daughters said one of the greatest lessons they learned from their parents was that sharing and caring for the needs of others always brings the greatest happiness. Story still available on yesterday’s 10th Day Question website blog post. Congrats to 10th Day drawing winner, Sheron Morrell, who won a set of cards of  Nauvoo illustrations & a 24-Kt gold finish Nauvoo Temple silhouette...

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Question & Story 10th Day Christmas Past

Posted by on Dec 21, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 | 3 comments

Question 10th Day Christmas Past:  What was one of the greatest lessons Harold B. Lee’s daughters learned from their parents? (To be entered into today’s giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts of story below on Facebook or our blog.) Pres. Harold B. Lee asked his two daughters if they would like to participate in a special project and help a family for Christmas.  The Depression was still raging, and many families continued to struggle.  Before they answered, their father cautioned them, “Remember, it would mean that you two would not have as many gifts as in the past.  And for the family, we would not have so fancy a dinner, either.” The girls didn’t hesitate.  Helen and Maurine were excited to be part of this Christmas surprise.  They found some dolls they no longer played with and began to make them look like new.  They styled the dolls’ hair and painted their faces, and their aunt made beautiful new clothes for them.  They went through their many things and chose other games and toys that could be repaired and cleaned up to give away.  Their mother, meanwhile, was busy making pies and cooking a turkey for dinner.  It soon came time to deliver the Christmas gifts and food they had prepared.  One of the girls said that at the moment they had to put their dearly loved dolls into the arms of their new “mothers,” they were somewhat reluctant and needed a nudge from their mother.  But they did it, and then the Christmas miracle happened.  Helen said, “When we saw how happy those under privileged little girls were with our dolls, we felt a joy and pride that we could add to their happiness on this Christmas Eve.” The girls agreed that it was one of the greatest lessons their parents had ever taught them – that sharing and caring for the needs of others always brings the greatest happiness. Taken from: Laura Willes, “Christmas with the Prophets,” p....

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Answer & Winner 9th Day Christmas Past

Posted by on Dec 21, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 |

Answer 9th Day Christmas Past:The McKay’s were married just after New Year’s and Pres. McKay surprised his delighted wife with a new piano for Christmas. Story still available on yesterday’s 9th Day Question website blog post. Congrats to 9th Day drawing winner, Don Wright, who won a set of hand carved olive wood ornaments along with an olive wood Nativity scene...

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Question & Story 9th Day Christmas Past

Posted by on Dec 20, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 | 4 comments

Question 9th Day Christmas Past:  What are two of many special things that happened in the David O. McKay family during the holiday season? (To be entered into today’s giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts of story below on Facebook or our blog.) “That Young Man Will Amount to Something”  & “The Old Chickering” Ray [Emma Ray Riggs] was about eighteen when her mother called to her one day to look out of the front room window. Joining her mother, she was impressed by what she saw. Two tall, handsome young men, each holding an arm to help their mother up the walk, were accompanied by their two younger sisters. “See, Ray, how attentive the boys are to their mother. They will make fine husbands for some fortunate girls someday.” While attending the University of Deseret, these young people were to be tenants of her mother’s home for the next two years and were to be numbered among Ray’s best friends. Little did she realize then that six years hence, the dear friends would be her brother and sisters, and David O. McKay, the dearest one of all, her beloved, lifelong companion. Ray, too, was attending the University of Deseret. One day as she was walking down a corridor she heard someone speaking. Noticing the door of the room ajar, she stood in the hallway and listened to a talk given by young David O. McKay before the Normal Society. That young man will amount to something someday, she thought to herself. In June 1897, David O. McKay, president of his class, was graduated from the Normal School and was chosen to be the valedictorian. During the commencement exercise, Ray, thrilled by his words, wondered whether she would ever see him again. She was overjoyed when, in July of that same year, his sisters, Jeannette and Ann McKay, invited her to Huntsville to attend David O.’s missionary farewell, and she willingly accepted. That evening after the program David O. walked Ray from the chapel to the McKay home, holding her hand all the way. They agreed to correspond while he was away. Just before he was released from his mission, David O. received an appointment by mail to teach at the Weber Stake Academy in Ogden, which he readily accepted. The courtship that had begun at his missionary farewell blossomed through correspondence and was continued in earnest for a year and a half after he returned from Scotland in August 1899. One colorful autumn afternoon under a graceful umbrella tree, he proposed to her in Lester Park in Ogden. She was thrilled but answered, “Are you sure you want me?” “Yes. I am very sure,” smiled her sweetheart. They became engaged. It was some months later, just after New Year’s Day on January 2, 1901, when David O. called for Ray in his horse-drawn hack...

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Answer & Winner 8th Day Christmas Past

Posted by on Dec 20, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 |

Answer 8th Day Christmas Past: During the World War, Spencer W. Kimball saw enemies meeting on neutral ground to shake hands and exchange souvenirs, unmindful of war.  There is only one reason for such an amazing display of human goodness.  If Christmas did not have Christ at its center, it would long ago have vanished along with other ancient holidays. Story still available on yesterday’s 8th Day Question website blog post. Congrats to 8th Day drawing winner, Margaret Davies, who won a china plate of the Nauvoo...

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